Meeting on Apalachee WMA plan to be held

Published: Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 01:23 PM.

MARIANNA —
Jackson
County
residents will get a chance to weigh in on wildlife management area in their community later this
mont
h.

A draft of the 10-year land-management plan for parts of the Apalachee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be on display July 17 at a public hearing hosted by the
Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The wildlife management area includes about 8,000 acres. It features upland forests, farms and marshes on the
Chattahoochee
River
’s western banks and
Lake
Seminole
, according to a statement released by FWC.

The Apalachee WMA protects the “habitat for imperiled and native species such as fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, little blue herons, bald eagles and alligators, making it a popular place for wildlife viewing,” the statement said.

The meeting will give the public a chance to ask questions about the plan and offer comments.

“The Apalachee WMA was purchased to ensure the preservation of fish and wildlife resources, other natural and cultural resources, and for fish and wildlife-based public outdoor recreation,” Rebecca Shelton, an FWC land conservation biologist, said in the statement. “This draft plan will specify how we intend to do that.”

All lands bought with public dollars must have a management plan. This ensures they are maintained in line with the original reason for purchase. Hunting and fishing regulations aren’t part of this plan or meeting and will be addressed through a separate public process, the statement said.

MARIANNA — JacksonCounty residents will get a chance to weigh in on wildlife management area in their community later this month.

A draft of the 10-year land-management plan for parts of the Apalachee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be on display July 17 at a public hearing hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The wildlife management area includes about 8,000 acres. It features upland forests, farms and marshes on the ChattahoocheeRiver’s western banks and LakeSeminole, according to a statement released by FWC.

The Apalachee WMA protects the “habitat for imperiled and native species such as fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, little blue herons, bald eagles and alligators, making it a popular place for wildlife viewing,” the statement said.

The meeting will give the public a chance to ask questions about the plan and offer comments.

“The Apalachee WMA was purchased to ensure the preservation of fish and wildlife resources, other natural and cultural resources, and for fish and wildlife-based public outdoor recreation,” Rebecca Shelton, an FWC land conservation biologist, said in the statement. “This draft plan will specify how we intend to do that.”

All lands bought with public dollars must have a management plan. This ensures they are maintained in line with the original reason for purchase. Hunting and fishing regulations aren’t part of this plan or meeting and will be addressed through a separate public process, the statement said.

The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the Jackson County Commission Chambers on 2864 Madison St. in Marianna.

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